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Q&A With 'Modern Family' Actor Eric Stonestreet

The 'Modern Family' actor is devoted to his dog. Plus, how he stands up to cancer.

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Other than dog love, what relaxes you when you're stressed out?

"I have a drum set in my living room like other people might have a piece of furniture. I get some aggression out and have some cathartic time, and that helps me with stress. I know it sounds cliché, but there's no doubt that Coleman is the glue that's held me together in a lot of tough times. He's always there, he's always a willing listener, and he gives good feedback."

"I don't love jogging. When I work out it's usually with weights, and it makes me feel like I'm young again. I turned 40 and wanted to lose some weight, so between July and November, I lost 35 pounds."

What's your favorite comfort food?

"I'm not a sweets person. Every once in a while a piece of dark chocolate with an almond sounds good, but for the most part, tacos and steak sound better. I like mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and I grill a lot. Brussels sprouts are probably my favorite vegetable."

What do you always carry in your bag that goes to the set with you?

"I don't really carry a bag. We make fun of [co-star] Jesse Tyler Ferguson because he carries a bag that has everything in it, and then loses it. I go with a ball cap and my jacket and iPhone."

If everything goes well on the set and all the planets are aligned, what's your perfect schedule look like?

"Makeup time at 6:15, shooting by 7. We shoot really quick on the show; we're done before a lot of shows are even started, usually by 1:30 or 2, rarely past 5."

You're an ambassador to Stand Up to Cancer. Is that inspired by a personal connection to cancer?

"My mom is a cancer survivor twice, and I lost both my grandpas to cancer when I was young.

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